Ko Tao is known for its beautifully clear water, which makes it a prime dive and snorkel destination.  It is full of dive shops and avid scuba divers looking to see the wonderful world of underwater sealife.  Despite my desire to see turtles, sharks and other colorful and large sea creatures, I am extremely frightened of being underwater, and being meters below sea level does not appeal to me. 

Thus, I went to Ko Tao looking for another relaxing weekend in the sun.  I had scoped out the place a few days before and realized that it is very accessible on foot.  There are trails and although most of the roads are not paved, most of the island can be reached with a short hike.  Well, hike is an understatement…

I arrived to Ko Tao early on Thursday morning.  Luckily, there is now a boat leaving Lang Suan to the island that only takes 2 hours.  What a perfectly easy trip to make!  I decided that I was going to follow a path that was indicated by a dotted line on my trusty map to a place where there were a few cheap places to stay.  Five minutes later, I was pretty much climbing a mountain and forging myself through a very faded trail and overgrown brush.  The one time I forget my shoes!  My trip to Ko Tao was definitely a testiment to how trusty Rainbow Sandals can be. 

I had a huge smile across my face the entire time.  I love hiking and I loved that there was a huge possibility I was lost.  The trail was not easily marked and there were plenty of times when I had to make the executive decision on which way to go.  I loved that I had no idea where I was going or where I was going to end up.  I loved that I had no clue what I was looking for or what it was going to look like when I got there.  To put it plainly, I loved it. 

I made it to a secluded beach covered in little bungalows called Sai Thong Resort.  It was perfect!  I checked in and was led to a little bungalow a ways up the hill.  As soon as I saw the hammock I knew I was in heaven!  I dropped my backpack  and jumped into the hammock to relax after my hard trek through the wilderness.  But I wasn’t done.  There was way more forging ahead of me.  There was still a dotted line on the map that I hadn’t followed and I wanted to reach the town that day so I could set up a snorkeling trip. 

So I set out again.  This trail was much more difficult to follow and it included large boulders and steep inclines, but once again I found myself on a little secluded beach and decided to take a dip in the crystal clear water.  The ocean in Thailand is absolutely heavenly.  It is the perfect refreshment from the hot sun.  After an ample amount of time relaxing, I set out for the town.  Lots of hiking later on what they call “roads” I reached a place called Viewpoint resort and stopped to have lunch.  My table was located right on the rocks with the perfect view of the beautiful Chalok Baan Kao Bay. 

After an amazing lunch, I headed into the town to find a place to set up a snorkeling trip.  I found a shop and put down the money to buy the trip.  He asked me where I was staying and too much dismay my bungalows were too far for them to pick me up in the morning!  I had to do the hike again early in the morning!!  This didn’t discourage me one bit.  I enjoyed the hike and because I haven’t worked out too much in Thailand, I took it as a wonderful challenge.

The next morning I woke up around 7 and made my way into town.  The hike was rough and difficult, especially in the morning, but it was a good rough and difficult.  I truly enjoyed it.  Apparently, I was forgotten because I waited for about an hour and then was rushed to the boat with everyone starting at me like I was the late one.  And by rushed, I mean I had to jump aboard another motorcycle taxi, and a motorcycle taxi on the mountainous Ko Tao, is an adventure I wasn’t ready for.  But, once again, I survived, and made it to the boat. 

The day of snorkeling was exhausting, but completely worth it.  At the first stop, Shark Island, I learned about “sea lice.”  According to a website on staying safe at the beach, “Sea lice are actually the microscopic larvae of jellyfish and other ocean stingers wchich contain the same nematocysts (stinging cells) as mommy and daddy.”  I felt liky my body was on fire!  The first sting was surprising.  I literally said out loud, “What in the world was that!!” Then as I decided to follow the path of some big fish, I must have swam into a swarm of them, because I felt them on every inch of my body!  The snorkeling was amazing there, huge fish, beautiful coral, but I had to get out of the water as soon as I could! 

The rest of the day was magnificent!  We circled the entire island and ended up on the little island off the coast called Ko Nang Yuan.  With two hours to kill on the small island, I quickly climbed the hundreds of stairs to a breathtaking lookout, knowing that I would soon be swimming in the crystal blue water and relaxing in the white sand.  What an amazing sight.   I would have loved to see the island when it was empty and uninhabited, but then again I probably wouldn’t be standing there if it was deserted.

Ko Tao is only two hours away from Lang Suan.  Thus, when I want to have a “lazy weekend” where I don’t want to travel far, this is where I will come.  It is an amazing island with so much excitement to offer and I can’t wait to explore it more!!

The joy of living in a small town is that you can bike everywhere.  Any restaurant, store, or market, I can easily get there in 5-10 minutes by bike.  I wake up every morning with a nice little bike ride to school.  But when that is your only mode of transportation, in a place where it RAINS all the time.  It can prove to be a problem.  Today, after a long day of 6 hours of class, all I wanted was to come home and relax.  But as I locked up my classroom and looked outwards, I noticed a little something: it was POURING rain!  Oh yes, the standards of “pouring” are a little different in Thailand.  I have seen nothing like it.  I have heard nothing like it.  It is absolutely ridiculously insane.  But its normal here.  And as I waited to see if it would subside, a thunderous boom was heard behind me and I figured this can only get worse.  Its always nice to enjoy a nice bike ride in the rain when you’re wearing a white skirt!  I wish I had a picture of it.  You can use your imagination though.  Trying to man the potholey streets of Lang Suan, one hand on the rikety old bike, and the other holding a broken umbrella is my first choice for a good time. 

I have attached a picture of the beast I like to call a bike in the rain that I had to ride through.  Not sure if the picture can really catch the essence of the downpour but I tried….

Chumphon is a sea coast city parallel to the Gulf of Thailand. It is the gateway to other southern provinces. Along more than 200 kilometres of Chumphons seashore, there are many beautiful and picturesque beaches. Still maintaining the natural beauty, the province is best for those who seek relaxation in the natural and uniquely quiet atmosphere.

Historical documents state that Chumphon was continuously the locations of many communities since the pre-historic period, especially in the area near Tha Taphao River banks. Chumphon was also one of the leading trading centers of Siam (former name of Thailand).

Due to being the frontier city, the name Chumphon is believed to derive from Chumnumphon, which means the accumulation of forces. Whenever there were movements from the army, the soldiers would gather their forces here at this province.

The other source believed that it should be derived from a local plant named Maduea Chumphon due to its richness in this area. Therefore, naturally, this plant has become a symbol of the logo of Chumphon Province.

Boundary

North Amphur Bang Saphan Noi of Prachuap Khiri Khan
South Amphur Tha Chana of Surat Thani
East Gulf of Thailand
West Ranong and Andaman Sea

Chumphon is administratively divided into 8 Amphoe: Mueang Chumphon, Lang Suan, Sawi, Tha Sae, Lamae, Phato, Pathio, and Thung Tako.

Source: TAT

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Chumphon is a sea coast city parallel to the Gulf of Thailand. It is the gateway to other southern provinces. Along more than 200 kilometres of Chumphons seashore, there are many beautiful and picturesque beaches. Still maintaining the natural beauty, the province is best for those who seek relaxation in the natural and uniquely quiet atmosphere.

Historical documents state that Chumphon was continuously the locations of many communities since the pre-historic period, especially in the area near Tha Taphao River banks. Chumphon was also one of the leading trading centers of Siam (former name of Thailand).

Due to being the frontier city, the name Chumphon is believed to derive from Chumnumphon, which means the accumulation of forces. Whenever there were movements from the army, the soldiers would gather their forces here at this province.

The other source believed that it should be derived from a local plant named Maduea Chumphon due to its richness in this area. Therefore, naturally, this plant has become a symbol of the logo of Chumphon Province.

Boundary

North Amphur Bang Saphan Noi of Prachuap Khiri Khan
South Amphur Tha Chana of Surat Thani
East Gulf of Thailand
West Ranong and Andaman Sea

Chumphon is administratively divided into 8 Amphoe: Mueang Chumphon, Lang Suan, Sawi, Tha Sae, Lamae, Phato, Pathio, and Thung Tako.

Source: TAT

Book your hotels and resorts accommodation

Deals & Discounts for all Thailand hotels and resorts reservations from Luxury Hotels to Budget Accommodations.

The easiest and fastest way to find your hotels and resorts accommodation in Thailand. Special promotion Thailand hotels and resorts up to 75% off, instant confirmation. Find and book your hotels and resorts accommodation in Thailand with us!. Get best room rates and great deals!

Loy Krathong is a festival in Thailand held on the Full Moon in November.  “Loi” means “to float” and a “krathong” is a lotus-shaped raft which can float on water.  It is usually made out of a piece of banana tree trunk decorated with folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks.  During this night, many people put a small raft like this on a river, make a wish and watch their krathong float away. They think that this will give them good luck.  When people put their krathong on the river to float away, they hope that anger, unhappiness, trouble and bad luck will also float away so that they can make a fresh, clean start.

What a perfect festival to be a part of.  I couldn’t have asked for a better night for this.  There have been so many things going on in my life and all I needed to do was let all the bad float away and just keep the good.  I made my wish and as I watched it float away I focused on how I want my life to be and the happiness I want in it.  I focused on the people I love and those that are extremely far away from me at the moment.  Although there was a lot of hustle and bustle. I really tried to make it a serene moment where I truly felt like my troubles were floating away.  Of course in reality they didn’t, but I absolutely love the symbolic nature of this festival.  I was so excited to be a part of it.  It really made me feel closer to the Thai culture.

For my first island experience this was sure a doozy.  I went looking for beautiful beaches, lots of relaxing, and breathtaking vistas.  I was looking to explore and see everything the island had to offer.  I got the beautiful beach, but not quite anything else.   Koh Phangan is the home of the Full Moon Party, which is supposedly the largest beach party in the world.  Even though I wasn’t there for the actual Full Moon Party, which was Monday night November 2^nd, the nights leading up to the party are apparently less crowded but just as crazy.  I was not prepared for this by any means.  To go from Lang Suan, where no one speaks English and the only people I see are Thais, to being surrounded by groups of backpacking foreigners, or farangs as they are called here,  who are only looking to drink all day and party all night.  Definitely not my scene.  The girls I was with, Katie and Jodi, were all about it and of course I joined (of course way more low-keyed than everyone else in Haad Rin, the location of the constant party), but it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience.   And I’m going to put emphasis on that it was a ONCE in a lifetime experience.  I don’t think I will be going back for the actual Full Moon Party because I don’t think I could take that many people.  There are supposed to be thousands more people on the actual night of the party.  I definitely feel like I had enough.  I always had to venture back to the room on my own because I could not hang with the others who could stay out till 6 or 7 in the morning.  Coming home at 3 o’clock in the morning, which is a completely out of the ordinary and extremely late night for me, was considered lame.  I did get my fair share of dancing and laughing with the girls and even partook in a Foam Party.  The last Foam Party I went to was Freshman Year in High School, where Poly was on the news a few days later because the entire school of 350 students had become sick.  Needless to say, I did not get sick and I had a blast, but of course once again had to cut out early. 

I did get a break during the day though.  I went on multiple solitary walks on a beautiful beach and got to spend a lot of time just taking in the warm water and soft sand.   Lying in half sand half water, I had plenty of time to focus on myself and what’s going on in my life at the moment.    I had a short yoga session in the sand, which was amazing, and took lots of photos, of course. 

I will be going back to Koh Phangan one of these days, but I will research a more secluded beach, plan hikes, maybe snorkeling trips, and definitely spend all my time taking in the scenery.

When I first arrived in Lang Suan it was 3:30 in the morning, I was expecting to be in Chumphon, and nestled in a little house by the sea.  What I got was an hour outside the city of Chumphon, a house by the train tracks, and complete seclusion.   I didn’t sleep a wink because as I was closing my eyes, the roosters from next door started crowing and the trains were in full force.   There was nothing in my apartment except a thin mattress on the floor and there was no sink in the “bathroom.”  Now this was me being out of my element.  I was furious.  I felt like I was completely lied to about where I was going.  I was the first person to be confirmed in Chumphon and somehow I was the one that ended up all the way outside of it.  I was bawling crying and livid at the same time.  I didn’t know how the heck I got put into this situation.  I felt utterly and completely alone. 

Two of the teachers picked me up in the morning to show me around town and take me to breakfast.  Thais don’t really do breakfast like we do in America.  Any food can be breakfast.  Defintely something I have to get used to especially since breakfast food is my favorite!!    There are only two main roads and it took all of five minutes to see the place.  Of course I had no idea how to get anywhere after our short tour.  We stopped by the school as well.  It was pretty big and looked pretty nice.   School was starting the next day so I got to see the classrooms and my little desk.  Later I met up with James (an AYC teacher that I happened to have met a few weeks before) and he introduced me to the only other female foreigner in this little town.  Jackie is from England and she’s great.  She speaks pretty much fluent Thai and we have come to the agreement that we will work out together and she will attempt to teach me Thai.  What a great little deal!  Still unsure of the place, still in my little house by the train tracks, and still feeling completely alone despite the nice people, I pressed on to my first day of teaching. 

The first day of school made the difference.  These kids were amazing.  They were full of smiles and they absolutely LOVE me.  I look over and I see little boys pressing their faces against the door to see in.  It’s incredible!  I walk through the school and every student says hello to me with huge grins on their face.  I think I’m one of the first female farang (what they call foreigners in Thailand) teachers at the school, which is why I’m treated like a superstar. Maybe this place isn’t going to be so bad afterall.  Oh, and I found out that I only have a three and a half day work week so that will make going to the islands almost every weekend a definite feasible option.

The town is tiny, but I think that’s what I needed.  I’m going to get the real Thailand experience here and I think I’m going to get everything out of this situation I can.  The people here are great, the food is delicious, and I think I’m going to be ok here…

copyright – eddie SAKAMURA 2009

copyright – eddie SAKAMURA 2009

]]> http://greenwoodtravel.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/koh-phi-tak-de-beste-homestay/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:49:05 +0000 Green Wood Travel http://greenwoodtravel.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/koh-phi-tak-de-beste-homestay/ http://eddiesakamura.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/naptime-on-the-mainroad/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:09:27 +0000 eddie SAKAMURA http://eddiesakamura.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/naptime-on-the-mainroad/

copyright – eddie SAKAMURA 2008

The only teaching experience I have is teaching little girls how to hit a softball.  At least they spoke my language!!  I’ve had the opportunity to help out on a few English camps through the company I work for.  I was a little nervous at first because this would be the first time I was meeting Thai kids and I was worried that a) I wasn’t going to like teaching or b) they weren’t going to like me.  The camps are pretty much summer camp which consists of fun games where we try to integrate English.  Of course, the kids always are speaking Thai except when they’re required to speak English.  I wish that I had listened when I was in middle school and high school and the teacher told me only speak Spanish in the classroom.  I’m pretty sure I would have learned it a lot better!  I had the chance to teach my own class a few times and of course it was a little challenging at first but I realized that I could definitely get the hang of it.  Oh and I realized another thing…. I loved it!! I had so much fun teaching the kids that I can’t wait to have my own class!!  I can’t wait to have a classroom and make my own lesson plans and do everything that is involved with teaching.  This was an amazing discovery!  The only thing that sucks slash is a little bit funny is when the kids try to talk thai to me and I have no idea what they’re saying.  Its like in Finding Nemo when the baby turtle (Squirt) is talking and Marlin says: “It’s like he’s trying to speak to me, I know it.  Look, you’re really cute, but I can’t understand what you’re saying.”  I think about that everytime and I laugh a little (inside of course).  The blank stares are tough too, but I know its going to be so rewarding when they say words that I taught them! 

There is so much I need to learn, especially the around the clock peppiness that is required with teaching Thai Kids!  I talked to a few teachers and they said that no matter what kind of day you’re having it doesn’t matter, you need to be all smiles when you enter that classroom.  This will definitely be a difficult task for me because I wear my emotions on my sleeve, but hopefully I won’t be having many bad days in Thailand!!  Another tidbit of advice was to teach every class like a fun English Camp.  I love that idea.  I want to sing and dance with the kids and make them excited to come to my class!!  I can’t wait to get down to Chumphon and start teaching November 2nd!

During the flight over, I still couldn’t believe that I was actually going.  When the plane was landing and I saw Bangkok for the first time I was still in awe that I would soon step foot in Thailand.  I couldn’t believe that I actually did it.  I actually followed my dream!  I met Jeff, the AYC Intercultural Thailand Human Resources Manager, after customs and I began my adventure.  We headed to Khao San Road which is the backpackers district and the place where I would be staying.  We found a place and I was shown to my room.  My jaw almost hit the ground when I saw the size of the room, oh and no window!

After Jeff left, I broke down.  What have I done?! I suddenly felt so alone even though I had been in Thailand for maybe two hours.  I felt so out of place and impossibly overwhelmed.  I quickly  went down to the internet room where they conveniently have cameras set up for skype purposes and I hoped that Kyle would be on.  Thank God he was because I definitely needed someone to cry too and he talked me right down from it, something he has always been good at.  He can talk me out of all my frantic moods and this was probably the worst of them.  He told me that this is the first time I’ve ever been alone and that its going to be great for me!  I was so nervous slash uncomfortable slash upset that I felt sick to my stomach.  Then Miley Cyrus “Party in the USA” came on and I felt more at home.  Thank you Miley!!  I calmed down and once I returned to my room it didn’t seem so small anymore. 

The next day I woke up at 6 after a night of waking up every single half hour.  No idea why, I wasn’t that uncomfortable.  I think it was just the shock of being in such a new place.  I finally decided to just get out of bed and start my day.  I walked around and happened across a Wat (temple), which is a commonplace in Bangkok, there seems to be one on every corner. I went in and sat in on their morning prayers.  It was very peaceful and it was amazing how it was just one continuous prayer for probably a good twenty minutes, and I’m sure they went on much longer after that, that just happened to be the amount of time that I watched them.  I kept wandering around a bit and decided that this cart on the side of the road looked like a great place to stop for breakfast.  Naturally I had Pad Thai, a wonderful breakfast, and while I was eating I met a guy from California as well, Stephen.  He was on his way through Thailand to visit his family in India and after talking briefly he told me he could show me the ropes a bit on the public transportation.  I told him that I had to stop by the AYC offices and he still agreed to go with me.  After almost THREE hours at the office, I was finally finished and I felt SO bad, especially since it happened to be his birthday!  We decided to head over to the Chatachuk Weekend Market, which is the biggest flea market/swap meet that I have ever seen.  Its just miles of amazing handmade crafts and knicknacks and I just wanted to stay there all day and spend every last cent, but I knew I had nowhere to put my treasures so I decided that I would have to come back before I left to stock up on wonderful souvenirs.  I wish I had a house to decorate in Thailand because there was some of the most amazing furniture and household items.   We spent the rest of the day exploring a little bit in the downtown area, including their malls, which are utterly ridiculously huge and there are about 5 of them right next to each other.  This is also where I discovered the absolute insanity of Bangkok traffic and driving.  They don’t use lanes and if they want to go they’re going to go.  Stoplights pretty much don’t do anything.The basic laws of traffic don’t abide.

  After that, Stephen decided to go get a massage and I wanted to head back to Khao San to relax for a little bit.  A new adventure was ahead for me because I was about to man the bus alone.  On my way to the bus stop, there happened to be a concert going on in the pavilion at one of the malls.  It was hilarious.  The group that was singing was like the Backstreet Boys or Nsync (of course 10 years ago boy bands) of Thailand because as soon as they took the stage all the girls started screaming.  I had to stop and watch for awhile because it was just so intriguing.  It made me remember when I was 13 and would scream when the boybands came on stage.  I pulled myself away from the show and ventured to find the bus stop, which I thought I found.  45 minutes later all the other buses had come except for mine so I decided to just take a cab.  Well instead of a cab stopping, a “tuk tuk” stopped and I decided that I needed even more of an adventure especially because tuk tuks try and fit between traffic and NO ONE in Bangkok uses lanes, it seems to be a lost cause there.  On my ride I saw a few interesting things: an entire family on a motorcycle, dad driving with little boy in front of him and mom on the back carrying the little girl, incredible, a lady riding side-saddle on a motorcycle (which I have seen countless times since then) and a tuk tuk with twelve little boys in it!  Transportation is insane here!!

I relaxed for a bit and later I met up with another AYC teacher named Sean to have a few drinks.  It was nice to meet someone else in the same situation as me.  

The next day I ventured out again with the intent to take one of the river boats down the river to the Grand Palace and see the place.  Well, that didn’t quite happen the way I planned.  As I was trying to find my way to the river I ran into a Thai man who started talking to me and insisted that I take a Thai boat on the river.  I didn’t quite understand what he was saying but he planned this whole route out for me where I would do the river ride, go to a tourist office (yeah no idea why this happened) and then go to the Golden Mountain where the Golden Buddha was.  Without really letting me protest he called a tuk tuk driver over, negotiated that the driver would stay with me the whole time for only 30 baht (which is pretty ridiculous keeping in mind that my tuk tuk ride the night before was 100 baht).  So off I went not sure where I was going or what I was off to do.  I ended up in a weird part of town and somehow by the river where the driver took me to another Thai man who told me that a river boat ride was 1500 baht.  Definitely not what I was aiming for since the public river boat was maybe 15 baht.  This ride was different since it was in a longtail boat and it went down the canals so I thought it would be interesting, so I agreed to do it.  It was of course totally worth it!!  I got to float down the canals and see some pretty cool things! 

The only part of it that made me sad was that other boats were passing by with couples and groups of people and I was all alone.  It was actually really nice alone and I didn’t mind it, but it definitely would have been nice to have someone along for the ride.  Its been really great to have some time to focus on myself.  I need to do some soul searching for sure and find who I am and this is going to be a great opportunity for me.  I have months and months ahead of me as well to do just that!  I took a lot of great pictures on the way.  When the trip was over I got back to the dock and found that the tuk tuk driver did indeed wait for me!  He insisted that we go to the tourist office, which I really didn’t need to go to, but I said fine ok and he drove me through a really interesting part of town yet again.  I guess its fun to do that because I never would have seen that part of town otherwise, so it was exciting nonetheless.  When we got to the tourist office, it was a hole in the wall and I was literally in there for five minutes and we were on our way again.  This time to the Golden Mount and I thought our agreement was that he was going to wait for me and take me back to Khao San Road but when we got there he asked me to pay and that was it. Soooo I was stranded and I wasn’t exactly sure where I was.  The beauty of living in the backpackers district is that everyone knows where it is so I didn’t worry too much.  I continued onto the Golden Mount and found an amazing view of Bangkok. 

I’m beginning to find that most Wats are pretty similar, but they are all beautiful, so I guess that never gets old.  When I was finished I decided that I wanted to try and find my own way back.  After wandering around for a good 45 minutes and not able to find even where I am on the map I decided to get a tuk tuk back (I’m already pretty comfortable in them).  I found a free wifi place (which hasn’t worked since then) by my hostel and got to call Kyle on Skype when I got back so that was great.  I still tear up a little when I talk to him because sometimes I just feel super lonely.  And yes I know at this point its only been TWO days but its been a real overwhelming experience for me.  I also have found that living in my little room I have had to become very resilient to unidentifiable bugs. 

Monday I was supposed to substitute teach at this school completely on the other end of Bangkok.  After a 500 baht taxi ride (which is ridiculous) and a ride on a muddy dirt road, I made it to the school and was showed to a classroom.  I was given no direction and no materials so I was a little lost.  I had a few lesson plans  but I needed paper and a photocopier so I was a little panicked for I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do, but I guess that’s the excitement of the first day teaching.  Well a teacher came in and told me that I wasn’t needed and that it was a big misunderstanding and I was left in the middle of nowhere (something that happened again on Thursday)!  I called Jeff and he had me come into the office, where we were going to sort things out.  Another long taxi ride back and I was there unknown of the other little adventure I was about to take.  Working for AYC I need my own bank account so they can just direct deposit money into my account.  To get to the bank, I was to take a motorcycle with a Thai lady I didn’t quite know and who didn’t speak much English.  Grrrrrreat….. Mind you this is my first time ever on any type of motorcycle.  I grabbed a helmet and latched onto the back of the bike because I wasn’t too comfortable clinging to her for my dear life in the crazy Bangkok traffic.  To give her credit, she didn’t drive too crazy and my first motorcycle ride wasn’t a traumatic one, I made it back in one piece (I’m sorry I don’t have a picture from this momentous occasion).  Back at the office I found out that I needed to go out to a school on Chonburi and do an interview/demonstration for a teacher.  The only reason why I was going to go was because they didn’t have any other female teachers in Bangkok yet and I was to represent AYC.  I was set on going to Chumphon (who wouldn’t want to live on the beach?!), but all the ladies at AYC kept asking my why I wanted to go there and not to Chonburi.  I think they just didn’t want it to look bad when I interviewed, was offered the job, and then it was a different girl that showed up.  I didn’t let them talk me out of it but I of course agreed to go with them, especially since I was going to get paid for the day anyways.  At the office, I met these two UK guys that worked for AYC in the office and we shared a taxi back to Khao San and I we got along great.  One of them, Steve, had a couple friends in town and I told him that I’d definitely meet up with them later.  When we made it back, it was absolutely POURING!  This was the first time I’ve seen it rain here, which is pretty common I hear, and it was definitely a baptism by fire because we had to walk through Soi Rambuttri road (the actual road we’re staying on near Khao San) while everyone watched us as they sat under covered areas.  When I made it back to my room, I literally looked like I had jumped into a pool.  It was absolutely insane!  Steve called me a few hours later and I met up with the him and the girls and we boarded the Chao Phraya River Express and took a trip down the river.

 I loved the two girls that were with him, one reminded me of the sister in Notting Hill and the other was absolutely amazing.  She took a sabbatical from her job in the Fire Department in the UK and was taking a nine month backpacking trip through the South of Asia, New Zealand and then ending in America.  It was a trip she had been saving for a planning for over twenty years and I was completely in awe.  She had just come from India and Nepal and I was of course hanging on her every word.  It made me want to go to Nepal SO badly and even though she said India was depressing and shocking she told me that everyone should go there at least once in their lifetime.  She was doing a bunch of organized trips so I feel like that’s the great way to do it when you’re alone.  Her stories just completely made me dream to do that one day!  I don’t really want to do it alone so I might have to convince Kyle to do it with me years and years down the road.  We grabbed some dinner and few beers and I had such a great time with them.  They were going on a three day trip the next day and I really wish I could have joined them but I want to try and work as much as I can before the teacher’s seminar.  They’re getting back in town on Friday so I hope they call me!

Tuesday had an interesting start with my cab ride to the office.  My cab driver got completely lost and I ended up being late to meet the girls that were going to take me to Chonburi.  I was completely frantic, which I need to learn to control especially here in Thailand.  I’ll work on that.  On the way ot Chonburi, I actually had a lot of fun with the girls in the car.  They were really sweet even though at times hard to understand.  One spoke pretty good English so she was kind of a translator.  Once we got to the school the teacher was extremely late so we just had girl bonding time while we talked about our boyfriends and shared pictures.  When the teacher finally came we began the interview.  Her first question definitely stopped me in my tracks: “What would you do if one of my students fell in love with you.”  I literally stammered and said “I obviously …uhhh…wouldn’t condone that….”  I really had no idea what to say to that!  She went on asking me question after question and then talked in Thai with the girls for a long while.  Apparently, she loved me and wanted me to teach at her school.  When I got back to the office they of course told everyone about it and a few of the other girls approached me and sounded like they wanted to get me to go to that school, but I stuck to Chumphon and its pretty set that that’s where I’m going to go.  Coming back to my little room makes me especially lonely.  I’m fine all day but when I’m reminded that I’m alone here I get upset.  I finally got to talk to Kyle after a few days of not talking to him and I found that if I have Skype up when my computer time runs out I can still use it, so I got to talk to him for an hour and a half!! It made me feel so much better!  Its great having him in life to calm me down and always be the voice of reason haha. 

I set out Wednesday to explore the Grand Palace and the Wats around it.  I didn’t end up going into the Grand Palace because it was 350 baht and I felt like that was an investment I should make when I have someone with me to take actual pictures of me in front of things instead of me holding my camera out (There will be lots of those once I post my pictures on facebook).  I stopped off at Wat Pho which is the home of the Reclining Buddha.  Now this was one of the most ridiculously huge things I’ve ever seen!  Pictures can’t even capture how big it is (I guess I’m not a good enough photographer yet to capture it but I’ll get there). 

After exploring Wat Pho I set out to go to the Grand Palace and it started raining.  I passed a tuk tuk driver and he told me that the Palace was closed right now and that he would take me to a few other temples while it was raining and then take me back (Later that day I was reading my Lonely Planet book, which said that tuk tuk drivers use this as a ploy to get tourists in their tuk tuk where they can bring them to certain stores that give them a commission if they bring people there…which mine did but he told me that he would get free gas if I got something, which I didn’t.  Later on my way to the Grand Palace I ran into another that did the same thing, I kept walking and the Grand Palace was of course not closed.  I just thought that it was hilarious that I read the book after it actually happened to me!)  Even though I fell for it, I had a blast and the tuk tuk driver was super nice and everytime we drove by something he would tell me what it was so it was worth it.  He took me to a few temples, which I love and I got to get out of the rain as we drove around.  It was a cheap way to pass time and I got to make a wish on a Buddha that is supposed to bring good luck in business.  I was in a temple all by myself and I knelt down and prayed that I would find happiness by myself.  I’m frustrated with the fact that I’m not doing so well at this whole being by myself thing.  Because this is a trip for me to become dependent on myself, I felt I needed a little help, especially because I wasn’t doing to hot at it so far with little breakdowns almost every night.  I decided that I would do this in every temple I visited.  

Wats are my favorite part of this crazy city.  They are nestled in the middle of the hustle and bustle and they are extremely peaceful.  So far I haven’t been the biggest fan of Bangkok, but I’m sure it would grow on me.  Too much is going on and people are in a hurry ALL the time.  The city is completely overwhelming, there’s ten times the pollution than Los Angeles, the traffic is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen and people are everywhere.  Wats are where everything stands still and I can actually think.  I love that.  I really need time for myself and even though I’m spending all day by myself some days this city still doesn’t allow me to be by myself.  I can’t wait until I get down to the south where I’m teaching and I can just sit on the beach or go on a hike and really focus on myself.  That is what this trip was about.  Seeing the world and finding myself.  I guess I need a little more than four days to do that so maybe I should give myself a break.

Para despedida, um pôr do sol com cor de nostalgia.

Spacious private bedroom

Map fo Baan Sbai

Twin private bedroom

Open ceiling for natural light in the bathroom

Common area with free internet access and WiFi available for every room

Homely decoration, clean and comfy

The newly-opened and family-run guesthouse in Chumphon, ‘Baan Sbai’ located in the town centre, central to local market and shop houses. It is close to bus station, and ten minute walk to train station.
Our rooms are homely decoration, clean and the bathroom with rain shower with its ceiling leveled up for sunlight and ventilation. Our rooms are very nice to stay in. Each room is spacious, clean, and cozy for a couple. It is also comfortable for a family with extra bed.

‘Small is beautiful’

 
Price: 350 Baht  per room (2 persons) per night, 80 baht for extra bed

This price included:

- Internet access (WiFi)

- TV everyroom with satellite
- Taxes
- Linen
- Bicycles parking
Please contact: Mattika 66-089-729-1975 or baansbai@gmail.com

บ้านสบาย เกสท์เฮ้าส์ ที่พักใจกลางเมืองชุมพร สำหรับคนรักการเดินทาง เรามีบริการติดต่อเรือไปเกาะ เต่า เกาะสมุย เกาะพงัน และ หมู่เกาะพิทักษ์
Facilities:
- ห้องพัดลม โทรทัศน์สัญญาณดาวเทียม
- อินเตอร์ความเร็วสูง พร้อม WiFi สำหรับทุกห้อง ฟรี
- ห้องอาบน้ำด้วยแสงธรรมชาติ ฝักบัวพร้อมน้ำอุ่นเรนชาวเวอร์
- เครื่องดื่ม ชา กาแฟ ฟรี
- อุปกรณ์อาบน้ำครบครัน
ราคา 350 บาทต่อห้องต่อคืน สำหรับ 2ท่าน หากต้องการพัก 3คน เพิ่มที่นอน 80บาท
โปรดติดต่อ: มัตติกา 089-729-1975 e-mail: baansbai@gmail.com